Bala House Montessori

award-winning preschool at historic Church of Saint Asaph

Bala Cynwyd, PA | 6,300 SF

Located on the historic Lower Merion Township campus of the Church of Saint Asaph, The Bala House is a small, community-based Montessori preschool and kindergarten. The design of the new addition was meant to honor, reference and respect the existing architecture, without copying it. By creating an independent architectural vocabulary for the addition and utilizing contemporary versions of existing materials and architectural forms, the design contrasts and compliments the existing campus.

The addition includes new classrooms with ample access to natural light and provisions for indirect lighting. Window sills, cabinetry and furniture are all appropriately ‘scaled down’ for young children’s use. Environmentally sensitive interior finish selections and the use of recycled products were employed throughout the project.

MERIT |

Lower Merion Township Historic Preservation Award

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Award of Excellence

“Design Profile: The Bala House Montessori School at the Church of Saint Asaph” Journal of AIA Philadelphia Context Magazine